It could be argued the next couple of weeks, until runoff, are generally not good ones to be a fish on the Arkansas River. The reason, indirectly, is the proliferation of the small, moth-like caddisfly. Not that they themselves cause any harm to the fish. On the contrary, they form the backbone of a trout’s diet on the Ark. There are something like forty different species of them present in the river, and fish feed on them year round, either in their nymphal or adult forms.

This time of the year, one particular species hatches en masse, causing the fish to gorge themselves on the bounty. Unfortunately for the browns and rainbows in the river, the hatch also attracts hordes of fishermen from across the country who add their artificial flies to the mix of real ones on the water.

Driving the highway, it seems at times it can seem there must be more fishermen than fish out on the water. The reasons for the popularity of fishing the hatch are varied. It is in its own right a celebration and reaffirmation of the bounty of nature. It also comes at a time when many other rivers are high and murky due to run off, and therefore not fishable. Plus, for most fly anglers, there is little more exciting or rewarding in the sport than catching a fish on a dry fly.

There are sound reasons, beyond the obvious environmental benefits, why it makes sense to “go green” when considering purchasing a new home, or upgrading your exiting abode. According to Trulia, while many of us agonize over whether or not adding that fancy home theater system of granite countertop makes financial sense, we overlook some far simpler upgrades that save money now and add value in the future.

Recent studies show that for every $1 a green improvement reduces your energy bill, it adds from $10 – $25 to the value of your home – an increase of anywhere from $8000 to $25,000 for a 3000 square foot home. The same goes for solar panels, which can add up to $17,000 to the value of your home.

As well as adding value and comfort to your home while you live in it, if you are thinking of selling, today’s buyers are actively searching for homes that offer green features. The US Department of Energy recently completed a study that showed that solar homes sold twice as quickly as a home without solar panels, even in a “down” market.

While some energy-efficient improvements can be costly – replacing windows springs to mind – others, like weather stripping and insulating pipes and crawl spaces, are relatively cheap and easy, and yield instant benefits in comfort and savings.

So while going green is the socially responsible thing to do, there are also many “selfish” reasons why it makes sense.

The last couple of weeks have seen mortgage rates on the rise, but this is not necessarily a bad thing for the housing market.

For one thing, an increase in interest rates will see more private investor money flow into the mortgage backed securities market. Investors seem to be tiring of the meager returns from Treasury securities, and are looking for opportunities to increase yield.

This in turn will lead to a greater variety of funding being available to the consumer, as lenders will no longer need to adhere to the strict guidelines mandated by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. While this may mean a slow down in the refinance market, it has to be a good thing for the housing market in general, particularly as economic growth and employment outlook brightens.

Certainly, current data supports the conviction that we have turned the corner in the housing market. New home starts and existing home sales are both showing sustained growth, and the National Home Builder’s Association reports optimism is at a five year high. This optimism seems to be borne out in the financial markets in general, with both the S&P and Dow approaching four year highs.

It is a case of goodbye to the old, hello to the new, as the construction of the new Salida High School moves on to its next phase.

This week sees the commencement of demolition of the Andreas Field House, with the removal of the remainder of the old high school buildings set to begin early June, once the school year is ended and the removal of books and supplies is completed.

At this time, construction of the new high school is on target, and is due to be completed early August, in time for the start of the new school year on August 20. The final phase will see the completion of the new track, field and stadium in time for the Salida Spartans’ first home football game on Sept 7 – 8.

Once completed the new high school will be state-of-the-art 90,000 square foot structure, featuring energy efficient design and construction, along with the ability to utilize the latest in teaching technologies. Along with the recently completed Heart of the Rockies Medical Center, the new high school will give yet another reason to call Salida the best little mountain town in Colorado.

July 14th sees the 16th annual Colorado Brewer’s Rendezvous at Riverside Park in downtown Salida. One of the highlights of the summer festival schedule, it attracts dozens of brewers and hundreds of beer aficionados from all over Colorado and beyond. However, not only is Salida a great town to come sit by the river and drink beer, it is also garnering renown for its very own growing microbrew scene.

Whether it is something in the water, or something in the air, but this small town in the Rocky Mountains is currently home to three distinct microbreweries. While many, locals and visitors alike, have sampled the fine hand crafted ales offered by Salida’s award winning original brewery, Amicas, there are two new kids on the block, quickly developing a following of their own.

Long time locals favorite Moonlight Pizza have recently expanded their premises and added an on-site microbrewery to compliment their range of delicious pizzas. The intent, says Scott Bouldin, master brewer and business co-owner with his wife Kim, is to brew “none of that fancy-schmanzy stuff, but beer for the worker bees, for the beer drinker who just ran a marathon, or swam Zoom Flume ( a Class 3 -4 rapid in nearby Browns Canyon.)”

The latest entrant in the brewing scene is Elevation Beer Company, located just down the road in Poncha Springs. At the time of writing, Elevation is putting the finishing touches on their state-of-the-art brew house, where they will become one of the few breweries in the country to specialize in small batch, barrel aged artisan beers.

So, if all that skiing, boarding, biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting sees you left with a thirst at the end of your day, this is yet another reason Salida is a pretty good town to find yourself in.

One of the questions we, as real estate professionals, are asked time and again by home owners thinking about selling their homes is this: “Is now a good time to for me to be selling?” To which the considered response is invariably : “Perhaps.”

Many home owners are reluctant to put their properties on the market until “things get better”, meaning until the economy recovers and values return to their pre-recession levels. The problem with this rationale is that while all this waiting is going on, life is passing by. One thing is for certain – the recovery of our economy, both locally and internationally, will be a long, step-by-step process. In the meantime, there are other factors to consider that, while not strictly economic, are no less important in formulating the decision on whether to list, or not to list.

Quality of life plays an important role here. Will selling and relocating enable you to cut down on a long commute? Is your current home now too large and difficult to maintain, or too small, owing to a change in family circumstance? Will upsizing enable you to finally have that extra home office space your business has been demanding? Will selling enable you to move closer to the people you love and the things you value? Are you no longer able, or prepared, to meet the cost of owning a home?

All these factors play into making the final decision. In the meantime, it is important to consult with your local, trusted realtor to ascertain the current market conditions, approximate value of your home and likely time on the market, as well as considering what you will be in a position to afford when your home does sell. This kind of knowledge and input is invaluable in helping you come to an informed, proactive decision, and no one knows the nuances of your market better than a trusted realtor.